Different Types of Hazards
SAFETY HAZARDS :-
These are the most
common and will be present in most workplaces at one time or another. They
include unsafe conditions that can cause injury, illness, and death. Safety
Hazards include:
- Spills on floors or tripping hazards, such as
blocked aisles or cords running across the floor
- Working from heights, including ladders, scaffolds,
roofs, or any raised work area
- Unguarded machinery and moving machinery parts;
guards removed or moving parts that a worker can accidentally touch
- Electrical hazards like frayed cords, missing
ground pins, improper wiring
- Confined Spaces
- Machinery-related hazards (lockout / tagout, boiler
safety, forklifts, etc.)
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS :-
Associated with working
with animals, people, or infectious plant materials. Work in schools, daycare
facilities, colleges and universities, hospitals, laboratories, emergency
response, nursing homes, outdoor occupations, etc. may expose you to biological
hazards.
Types of things you may be exposed to include :-
- Blood and other body fluids
- Fungi/mold
- Bacteria and viruses
- Plants
- Insect Bites
- Animal and bird droppings
PHYSICAL HAZARDS :-
Are factors within the
environment that can harm the body without necessarily touching it. Physical
Hazards include:
- Radiation: including ionizing, non ionizing (EMF’s,
microwaves, radio waves, etc.)
- High exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays
- Temperature extremes – hot and cold
- Constant loud noise
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS :-
Occur when the type of
work, body positions, and working conditions put a strain on your body. They
are the hardest to spot since you don’t always immediately notice the strain on
your body or the harm that these hazards pose. Short-term exposure may result
in “sore muscles” the next day or in the days following exposure, but long-term
exposure can result in serious long-term illnesses. Ergonomic Hazards include:
- Improperly adjusted workstations and chairs
- Frequent lifting
- Poor posture
- Awkward movements, especially if they are
repetitive
- Repeating the same movements over and over
- Having to use too much force, especially if you
have to do it frequently
- Vibration
CHEMICAL HAZARDS :-
Are present when a
worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in the workplace in any form
(solid, liquid or gas).
Some are safer than
others, but to some workers who are more sensitive to chemicals, even common
solutions can cause illness, skin irritation, or breathing problems. Beware of:
- Liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids,
solvents – ESPECIALLY if chemicals are in an unlabeled container!
- Vapors and fumes that come from welding or exposure
to solvents
- Gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide and
helium
- Flammable materials like gasoline, solvents, and
explosive chemicals.
- Pesticides
WORK ORGANIZATION HAZARDS :-
Hazards or stressors
that cause stress (short-term effects) and strain (long-term effects). These
are the hazards associated with workplace issues such as workload, lack of
control and/or respect, etc. Examples of work organization hazards include:
- Workload demands
- Workplace violence
- Intensity and/or pace
- Respect (or lack of)
- Flexibility
- Control or say about things
- Social support/relations
- Sexual harassment
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